FRESH BREAD
The pleasure of a homemade loaf
There is something comforting about freshly baked bread. A homemade pleasure I prioritise for the gratification it brings.
I prefer to make slow-rise style breads as the flavour and texture is truly worth the extra time. Actual hands-on time is minimal as no kneading is required.
That said, a slow-rise bread is best allocated to the weekend when the simple steps can be carried out in moments through the day.
Making bread while the weather is warm is most rewarding as the dough rises easily without having to find a warm nook in the house. However, if you wish to save this recipe for serving with soup once the weather cools I highly recommend seeking out the snug places in your home to keep the dough active during its rising stage.
Yeast, whether commercial or wild yeast as found in a sourdough starter, has a temperature sweet spot of about 18-22 degrees Celsius.
Too low and the yeast can run out of oomph before it gains momentum, too high and the yeast replicates too fast, potentially resulting in a deflated dough as the gluten matrix doesn’t have time to develop before the yeast expires. It is a fine balance.
This skillet bread recipe can be a foundation for many seasonal additions.
With a small harvest of red onions from the garden this week and a gift of plump figs from a friend, this combination came to life. Be creative with what is at hand.
These combinations might tickle your fancy: kalamata olive and basil – swirl the pesto through the dough, roasted grape and sweet oregano – dot the dough with ripe grapes before cooking, or sundried tomato and roasted garlic – fold whole garlic cloves through the dough.
Fig & caramelised onion skillet bread
Preparation time: about 5 hours, mostly unattended Cooking time: 20-25 minutes Serves 6-8
❚ 2 cups white flour ❚ 1⁄2 cup wholemeal wheat flour ❚ 2 teaspoons chopped rosemary ❚ 1 teaspoon salt ❚ 1⁄2 teaspoon dried yeast (I have also made this with a sourdough starter omitting the dried yeast and using 100g (1⁄2 cup) starter) ❚ 200ml water ❚ 1tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
Caramelised onions
❚ 1 tablespoon olive oil ❚ 1 large red or brown onion, thinly sliced ❚ 1 teaspoon honey ❚ 6 ripe figs (or 8 dried), quartered ❚ Rosemary sprigs
In a large mixing bowl combine the flours, rosemary, salt and yeast. Pour over the water and 1 tablespoon olive oil, then use a fork to bring together into a ‘‘shaggy’’ dough. Cover with a plate and set aside for 30 minutes.
For the caramelised onions, heat a frying pan over a moderate heat. Add the oil and onions and saute for 10 minutes until beginning to colour. Turn down the heat to low and cook for another 15 to 20 minutes until the onions are caramelised. Remove from the heat and stir through the honey. Cool a little.
Add the warm onions to the dough and use your hands to mix until combined. Shape into a ball and toss the dough in olive oil to lightly coat. Cover and set aside for three to four hours until doubled in size.
Brush a heavy-based skillet (cast iron frying pan) with olive oil, or use a 22cm cake tin lined with baking paper.
Tip the dough into the pan and use your fingers to press into the sides, making indents all over the surface of the dough. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with extra salt. Leave to rise for 30-60 minutes until the dough is visibly puffy. Preheat the oven to 250C. Once the dough is ready, dot with fig pieces and sprigs of rosemary and place the skillet into the oven, turning down the heat to 220C.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden. Use a spatula to slide on to a cooling rack. The bread is best eaten warm with dips, or tear off chunks to serve with soup.